beachgurl84

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

@@beachgurl84 I had the same experience... three different masks before I ended up with the nasal pillows. And my machine has that ramp up feature that starts with lower pressure and builds up over 20 minutes.
I agree -- I had no idea how bad my sleep was until I started using the machine. It actually took me 2-3 months of the machine to start really noticing a difference but MAN is it better!
@@ChristmasJanet -- I'm not encouraging you to cheat at all -- I firmly believe apnea is SO dangerous and needs to be treated. Mine also has the modem and if I'm not compliant enough, insurance will stop paying for it. But, my insurance considers 4 hours a night to be compliant. So, you really should try to use it and get used to it but if it is completely bugging you and you've had it on for at least 4 hours, you'd probably be ok taking it off then. And a missed night here and there wouldn't cause them to take it -- I think my insurance requires 6 nights a week but I always use 7 and get more than 4 hours with it because it just works so darn good!
Maybe you can call your insurance and ask them the requirements. At least then you'll get a little peace of mind if you just really get frustrated and need a night without it. And do talk to your doctor and try different masks and pillows. The pillows come in different sizes. Don't think because you're a big lady you need a big size. My nose is pretty small and the nostrils are close together and I wear an extra small in the ladies version. The only thing I ever use that's a size extra small! lol
Best wishess.

It sounds like to me you aren't quite ready. You might be close, but you're not there yet. However, I am not in your shoes, so I would hate to try and speak for you.
I can remember 17 years ago I saw a commercial on TV about a vague "hospital' weight loss program, so I called the number. When the lady told me it was weight loss surgery, I told her politely that I wasn't interested in something so drastic and ended the conversation. I thought I could do it through dieting and excercise, so I joined a gym that same week and started to work out. It was the same story, year after year - diet and exercise to try and lose the weight. I've been overweight now for over 20 years (struggled with weight for most of my life too). This is the biggest I have been, even after having my second child. So now, I am coming to terms with the fact that if I could do it on my own, I would have already done it.
Good luck to you in your journey and I wish you success, no matter what form it comes in.

Once you get used to the cpap, you will sleep much better with it. Experiment with the humidity and different masks too, that could be why you're not sleeping so well with it. I had a sleep study a few years ago and they told me I stopped breathing an average of 56 times an hour. But my sleep apnea isn't just caused from being overweight. Once I got used to it, I realized I had been sleeping horribly my whole life. I don't know about other machines, but mine has a setting where you can ease up to full pressure. Starts soft then works it's way up over an amount of time you designate. That helped when I first started using it. And I had to go through 3 different styles of masks before I was comfortable. AND.......I whined plenty too at the time
Good Luck

powaqqatsi,
Before I give my input, please understand I am in the same position as you are. I am just now starting my 6 month program and I have my first "Lifestyle Class" next week. I asked myself the same question you are asking...."what's the point if I still have to diet and exercise?"
If you notice, every single diet plan/weight loss program out there comes with the instructions "diet and exercise". So what makes this any different? If you can diet and exercise on your own without the surgery the same as you would with the surgery, what's the point?
The question that I finally asked myself provided me with the answer that made me start this journey. That is "if I can get the weight off on my own, why haven't I".
So, I can't give you any answers about post op or even preop really as I'm just starting myself. I've read everyone's responses and they are only encouraging me more. We are all responsible for our own actions. I CHOOSE to put the unhealthy food in my mouth. I CHOOSE to buy the junk food at the grocery store KNOWING I will eat it. That's why I'm really looking forward to the LIFESTYLE change that is required with surgery. It will be the most helpful tool I have to change my lifestyle. For someone like me that grew up in the south where eating is our way of celebrating (weddings, funerals, homecoming, church, holidays, birthdays), this is going to be tough. But I look at it this way.......
1. I KNOW I can learn to turn away from unhealthy food if I have the hunger under control. I need a tool to help with hunger. I need to LEARN to turn away from those foods.
2. The surgery is not going to keep my mother from making a sausage and rice casserole after church that's so greasy you don't even need to chew it because it slides right down your throat. It won't stop everyone around me from eating unhealthy. It will HELP me CHOOSE not to join them.
3. I haven't been able to get the weight off on my own for one reason or another. No matter how many diets I try, I have failed (I failed, not the diet) to get my weight off. I have to take responsibility and reflect on things I need to change. The surgery will be my tool to do that. Many people are very successful with the available diets out there like weight watchers, HCG, adkins, Jenny Craig, etc. I am not one of them.
I know I haven't answered your question because I am not even close to my surgery. I hope I haven't sounded offensive in any of my thoughts. I just wanted to share with you the reasons I am starting this journey. If you are seriously considering it, but have doubts, ask yourself this.....if you can get the weight off on your own without surgery, why haven't you?
I wish you luck in whatever you decide. If you decide the surgery is right for you, I hope to see you around on these forums as we get through this journey. It's going to be tough, but having such a wonderful support group available, and seeing all the successful stories will make it much easier. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!

powaqqatsi,
Before I give my input, please understand I am in the same position as you are. I am just now starting my 6 month program and I have my first "Lifestyle Class" next week. I asked myself the same question you are asking...."what's the point if I still have to diet and exercise?"
If you notice, every single diet plan/weight loss program out there comes with the instructions "diet and exercise". So what makes this any different? If you can diet and exercise on your own without the surgery the same as you would with the surgery, what's the point?
The question that I finally asked myself provided me with the answer that made me start this journey. That is "if I can get the weight off on my own, why haven't I".
So, I can't give you any answers about post op or even preop really as I'm just starting myself. I've read everyone's responses and they are only encouraging me more. We are all responsible for our own actions. I CHOOSE to put the unhealthy food in my mouth. I CHOOSE to buy the junk food at the grocery store KNOWING I will eat it. That's why I'm really looking forward to the LIFESTYLE change that is required with surgery. It will be the most helpful tool I have to change my lifestyle. For someone like me that grew up in the south where eating is our way of celebrating (weddings, funerals, homecoming, church, holidays, birthdays), this is going to be tough. But I look at it this way.......
1. I KNOW I can learn to turn away from unhealthy food if I have the hunger under control. I need a tool to help with hunger. I need to LEARN to turn away from those foods.
2. The surgery is not going to keep my mother from making a sausage and rice casserole after church that's so greasy you don't even need to chew it because it slides right down your throat. It won't stop everyone around me from eating unhealthy. It will HELP me CHOOSE not to join them.
3. I haven't been able to get the weight off on my own for one reason or another. No matter how many diets I try, I have failed (I failed, not the diet) to get my weight off. I have to take responsibility and reflect on things I need to change. The surgery will be my tool to do that. Many people are very successful with the available diets out there like weight watchers, HCG, adkins, Jenny Craig, etc. I am not one of them.
I know I haven't answered your question because I am not even close to my surgery. I hope I haven't sounded offensive in any of my thoughts. I just wanted to share with you the reasons I am starting this journey. If you are seriously considering it, but have doubts, ask yourself this.....if you can get the weight off on your own without surgery, why haven't you?
I wish you luck in whatever you decide. If you decide the surgery is right for you, I hope to see you around on these forums as we get through this journey. It's going to be tough, but having such a wonderful support group available, and seeing all the successful stories will make it much easier. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!

powaqqatsi,
Before I give my input, please understand I am in the same position as you are. I am just now starting my 6 month program and I have my first "Lifestyle Class" next week. I asked myself the same question you are asking...."what's the point if I still have to diet and exercise?"
If you notice, every single diet plan/weight loss program out there comes with the instructions "diet and exercise". So what makes this any different? If you can diet and exercise on your own without the surgery the same as you would with the surgery, what's the point?
The question that I finally asked myself provided me with the answer that made me start this journey. That is "if I can get the weight off on my own, why haven't I".
So, I can't give you any answers about post op or even preop really as I'm just starting myself. I've read everyone's responses and they are only encouraging me more. We are all responsible for our own actions. I CHOOSE to put the unhealthy food in my mouth. I CHOOSE to buy the junk food at the grocery store KNOWING I will eat it. That's why I'm really looking forward to the LIFESTYLE change that is required with surgery. It will be the most helpful tool I have to change my lifestyle. For someone like me that grew up in the south where eating is our way of celebrating (weddings, funerals, homecoming, church, holidays, birthdays), this is going to be tough. But I look at it this way.......
1. I KNOW I can learn to turn away from unhealthy food if I have the hunger under control. I need a tool to help with hunger. I need to LEARN to turn away from those foods.
2. The surgery is not going to keep my mother from making a sausage and rice casserole after church that's so greasy you don't even need to chew it because it slides right down your throat. It won't stop everyone around me from eating unhealthy. It will HELP me CHOOSE not to join them.
3. I haven't been able to get the weight off on my own for one reason or another. No matter how many diets I try, I have failed (I failed, not the diet) to get my weight off. I have to take responsibility and reflect on things I need to change. The surgery will be my tool to do that. Many people are very successful with the available diets out there like weight watchers, HCG, adkins, Jenny Craig, etc. I am not one of them.
I know I haven't answered your question because I am not even close to my surgery. I hope I haven't sounded offensive in any of my thoughts. I just wanted to share with you the reasons I am starting this journey. If you are seriously considering it, but have doubts, ask yourself this.....if you can get the weight off on your own without surgery, why haven't you?
I wish you luck in whatever you decide. If you decide the surgery is right for you, I hope to see you around on these forums as we get through this journey. It's going to be tough, but having such a wonderful support group available, and seeing all the successful stories will make it much easier. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!

Could only tell ya up to four days out but so far so good! I think the increased hydration really helps.

.

I'm just starting my 6 month preop program and I've been wondering something.......
After surgery when you're on the restricted diet, and then long term with eating healthier, has anyone noticed a significant change in skin quality? I am currently waging a war with blackheads going on about 20 years now (I'm 29). When I have dieted in the past, I've noticed my skin is much healthier looking. Vibrant actually. Can I expect the same results after the surgery?

So......I'm about to start my 6 month program required by insurance (BCBS NC). I've been reading through various posts on this website for about a week and the one thing I noticed it lacks is a place for people like me that are just starting. I saw groups for people getting sleeved at the end of this year but nobody is posting there (maybe you don't know it exists?). I've read about do's and don'ts, insurance policies, diets, before and after pics, etc.. It's so much wonderful information to inspire others. I am psyched about the whole process. I know it's going to be a loooooong, hard road, but I'm ready for the challenge. For the first time in the 6 years I've been with my husband (married 8 months ago), I finally broke down and told him how much I weigh. It was possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Of course he knew I was overweight, but with my form I don't always look like I weigh as much as I do. He is being so supportive of my goals. Not that he wants to change me, he just wants me to be happy.
I'm hoping those of you that are just starting this process will join me here. I'd like to learn how you feel going to the gym (I'm trying to go, it's so intimidating). Are you making gradual changes to your diet or are you going "cold turkey"? For those of you already sleeved, your stories are a big inspiration. I want to be one of you ASAP!!
Thank you for creating this community where I can feel like I'm not alone in this. Everytime I start to doubt whether or not this is the right way to go, I simply get on here and start reading posts.
I'm looking forward to this journey and challenging myself to get there.

Congratulations on taking the first step! I also have BCBS and had to do the 6 month pre-op program. I hated it at the time, but thank goodness for it! In those, what turned out to be, 9 months I learned SO much and I feel like I was as prepared as I possibly could be. I'm sure you will find some on here who are at a similar starting point as you. I think there are also boards broken down by surgery month.
One thing I might also suggest is to start a blog or something similar to mark your journey. I started a blog right before my very first doctor's visit in January of 2013. It's linked in my signature - you are welcomed to check it out. I am SO glad I did. I still post in it now a couple of times a week. It has been an awesome way to keep track of my journey and go back and remind myself of the things I've learned and AM LEARNING NOW along the way! So I guess my point is to use the time that you are required to take anyway and try to make it as productive as possible :-)

So......I'm about to start my 6 month program required by insurance (BCBS NC). I've been reading through various posts on this website for about a week and the one thing I noticed it lacks is a place for people like me that are just starting. I saw groups for people getting sleeved at the end of this year but nobody is posting there (maybe you don't know it exists?). I've read about do's and don'ts, insurance policies, diets, before and after pics, etc.. It's so much wonderful information to inspire others. I am psyched about the whole process. I know it's going to be a loooooong, hard road, but I'm ready for the challenge. For the first time in the 6 years I've been with my husband (married 8 months ago), I finally broke down and told him how much I weigh. It was possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Of course he knew I was overweight, but with my form I don't always look like I weigh as much as I do. He is being so supportive of my goals. Not that he wants to change me, he just wants me to be happy.
I'm hoping those of you that are just starting this process will join me here. I'd like to learn how you feel going to the gym (I'm trying to go, it's so intimidating). Are you making gradual changes to your diet or are you going "cold turkey"? For those of you already sleeved, your stories are a big inspiration. I want to be one of you ASAP!!
Thank you for creating this community where I can feel like I'm not alone in this. Everytime I start to doubt whether or not this is the right way to go, I simply get on here and start reading posts.
I'm looking forward to this journey and challenging myself to get there.

THANK YOU FOR SUGGESTING THAT YOU TWO!!! I called and found out it is approved... that was a huge stress relief. JUNE 24TH IS MY LIFE CHANGING DAY!!!!

Yes you have to wait until everything is completed then they'll submit it to the insurance company. If you are already using a CPAP machine that'll increase your odds of getting approval. I had to do a sleep study and now use a CPAP machine too. I understand the working full time & doing school full time. I spent many years like that. Good luck with school. That'd be great if you could have surgery by Christmas. I was done with everything & had approval in March but had to wait until May for surgery because Dr McCloskey is so busy. I was like 'but I want to do it now!' Lol It worked out for the best though. I'm down 20 lbs since surgery 42 lbs overall.